A Democratic and Republican Faith
A Public Theology for a Church and Nation in Crisis
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About this book
Roberts examines the positive role that religion must play in a liberal democratic society and shows how mainstream Protestants can do their part to revitalize the cultural and moral resources on which democracy depends. He addresses Protestantism's disarray and America's democratic crisis by articulating the practical implications of nine principles of a public theology: theocentrism, creation, image of God, natural law, sin, hope, vocation, covenant, and ecclesiology. Rediscovering the wisdom in these principles will give Protestants new purpose and vigor. Because these principles evolved alongside and shaped the ideas and practices of democracy, refreshing their meaning promises to strengthen ideas that are frequently considered more secular, such as liberalism, federalism, constitutionalism, human rights, the separation of powers, and the rule of law.
Praise for this book
“In the Gospels and their own great traditions, America’s mainline churches have wherewithal to heal our divided, broken politics. But do they have the will and spirit? Can they be missionaries for a Christian civic theology rooted in principles of Jesus and James Madison? In this wise, erudite, and readable book, Ray Roberts sketches a new path to revival and relevance for the church he loves.”
Jonathan Rauch, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
Martin L. Cook, Admiral Stockdale Professor of Professional Military Ethics Emeritus, US Naval War College
“Ray Roberts is deeply concerned about the health of our democracy and the state of mainline Protestantism. He argues that some of the concepts of theology can provide an intellectual foundation and basis for renewing commitment to liberal democracy. His intended audience is twofold: The mainline church, and also readers who do not share the theological framework, but who can understand the key concepts as relevant to their thought as a public theology.”
James Calvin Davis, author of The Character of a Nation: John Witherspoon and the Moral Foundation of the United States
“In a moment when it seems that the only Christian alternative to evangelical nationalism is a progressivism not up to the task, A Democratic and Republican Faith calls mainline Christians to reclaim the ‘thick’ theological substance of our tradition to defend democratic life and restore the institutions necessary to form good Christian citizens. I heartily recommend this book for anyone concerned about the integrity of American Christianity or the health of our republic.”
Rachel Sophia Baard, Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics, Union Presbyterian Seminary
“As the great crisis theologians of the previous century saw all too well, societies are at risk when faith speaks on behalf of political factions instead of drawing from its own spiritual traditions to shape the faithful and impact the public sphere. In this worthy contribution to the conversation on public theology, Ray Roberts applies this insight to the current American moment of Protestant disarray and political fractioning, outlining a public theology that drinks deeply from the wells of the church’s theological teachings in the interest of the common good.”
Berny Belvedere, Senior Editor, The Unpopulist
“The relationship between religious faith and liberal democratic values is something I have spent years thinking and writing about, persuaded as both a Christian and a committed liberal that the two are natural allies rather than rivals. Raymond Roberts makes that very case with rigor and historical depth, tracing how the collapse of mainstream Protestantism has quietly eroded the moral foundations on which democratic self-governance depends—and pointing toward what renewal might require. This is serious, necessary work.”
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